Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. Courtyard Caller - August 2013 1

Courtyard Caller

Courtyard Homeowners Association, Inc. August 2013 Volume 9, Number 8

BOARD MESSAGE Ready, Set, Go ... Fire Safety ! ! !

In the last several years, we have all seen an increasing number of news reports about wildfire disasters occurring throughout the country – many here in Central Texas. If you are not already aware, the Courtyard lies in an area of Travis County that experts describe as “wildland urban” -- a high risk, fire prone area of hills, canyons, and forests interspersed with homes. Fires in wilderness areas are a natural and periodic occurrence. As such, experts warn that it is not a question of if but when the next major wildland fire will occur. These fires, fueled by a build-up of dry and dead vegetation and driven by seasonal hot dry winds, are very dangerous and difficult to control. Moreover, the extreme heat and drought conditions we have experienced the last several years (and expect to continue) only add to the difficulty of containing a fire once started in these hills.

While we aren’t trying to scare you with this discussion, we do hope that you will give some serious thought to the very real threat of a wildfire in the Courtyard. The conditions that create such a disaster are not going away anytime soon, and we urge you to work with us and the volunteers on our Fire Safety Committee (FSC) to do all that we can to increase the likelihood that residents and their homes will survive a fire. To date, the committee has been gathering information about the fire safety programs and assistance available from city, county, state and federal governmental authorities and has set a tentative plan of action and priorities. For example, one immediate high priority is

to start what will be a long process of clearing dead and dried out trees and other vegetation from the common areas. This long accumulating “tinder” quality material is what feeds a fire. Other work will involve creating evacuation and escape plans that include learning ahead of time whether we have any disabled and/or elderly residents, and pets that will need assistance. We also hope to offer, upon request, individual “Firewise” home assessments. Watch for articles and information about this very important fire safety work in the Caller and on the website. If you have questions or suggestions, contact a committee member.

Current FSC members are Chairman Jim Gattis, Bob May, Winston Cundiff, Mike Boccieri, and Leslie Craven. Anyone interested in working with the Committee, please contact any member. There is so much to be done to improve our chances against a wildfire, and the Committee can really use more help.

And last, but not least, big THANK YOUs to Joany and Lewis Price and all their helpers who gave us such a wonderful July 4 Parade and Picnic in the Park and to Waneen Spirduso and her kayak & canoe volunteers who were, again, so generous in giving their time and sharing their boats so people could enjoy getting out on the water. Special salute to Chef Luis Suarez and Assistant Chef Winston Cundiff for the superbly grilled hot dogs!

Drive Safely in the Courtyard !

Get all 15 Fire Border Vectors here:http://graphicriver.net/item/15-fire-borders/2971654/?ref=nada-images

Included file formats:.eps.ai.jpg (2850×8900 Pixel / 300dpi)

2 Courtyard Caller - August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Courtyard Caller

CHA BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident, Leslie Craven ............... 502-1124, 585-1153 (cell)Vice President,Ed Ueckert ..................................... 345-6137Secretary, Cathleen Barrett ............................. 817-371-6983Treasurer, Jim Lloyd .............................................. 231-0855Zoli Kovac ............................................................. 761-4242 .................................................. zoltan.kovacs@ttiinc.comJamie Southerland ................................................. 394-5529Waneen Spirduso .................................. spirduso@utexas.edu

COMMITTEESEnvironmental Control (ECC) Diana Apgar ...................................................... 415-9412Community Park Zoli Kovacs ........................................................ 761-4242Welcome Joany Price ......................................................... 775-8942Social Committee Chairperson Joany Price ......................................................... 775-8942 Landscape & Decorating Ed Ueckert ........................................................ 345-6137Security Jim Lloyd ........................................................... 231-0855Communications Leslie Craven ..................................................... 502-1124 Cathleen Barrett (Editor - Courtyard Caller) ....... 531-9821Compliance Jamie Southerland .............................................. 394-5529Kayak Committee Waneen Spirduso .............................. spirduso@utexas.eduArea Development and Zoning Liaison Bill Meredith ..................................................... 345-0593MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Goodwin Management: Marilyn Childress 11149 Research Blvd. Austin, TX 78759-5227

512-502-7509

SUB-HOA CONTACTSCenter Court: Gary Doucha ..................................................... 401-3105 .....................................................gmdoucha@yahoo.comTravis County Courtyard (aka "Backcourt") Allan Nilsson .................................................... 346-8432 .................................................... arnilsson@earthlink.netVillas at Courtyard: Thomas Hoy ...................................................... 231-1270 ............................................Thomas.Hoy@freescale.comWolf Court: Tim Sullivan ...................................................... 346-3146 .................................................... tsullivan@austin.rr.com

COURTYARD BOOK CLUBTuesday, September 3, 2013

1 p.m. at The Courtyard Club

In September the group will read The Texicans by Nina Vida. This historical novel with larger than life characters is set in the period just before Texas Statehood. Nineteenth century Texas was a wild place with a diverse population often at conflict. Vida’s characters represent that reality. Aurelia Ruiz, daughter of a Mexican father and Anglo Mother, earns her living caring for the sick during a cholera epidemic. Through Aurelia’s relationship with a Texas Ranger, the reader sees both heroes and scoundrels on the Texas frontier. Another central character, Joseph Kimmel, is a Polish Jew who comes to Texas from St. Louis with the goal of settling his brother’s estate and returning to Missouri. Once in Texas, he meets Henry Castro who is leading a band of Europeans intent to establish the settlement of Castroville. Castro recruits Kimmel to join him as a leader in this effort.

Relationships between disparate groups of fortune seekers, native Indian tribes, and Mexicans who had inhabited the land for generations provide many threads for good storytelling. Vida makes the most of this material, producing a plot that one reviewer called “rich and complex.” Another praises Vida for allowing the reader to see historical events from varied viewpoints.

In October Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks will be discussed. Setting the stage for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the book imagines the lives of English settlers on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1660’s.

For information about the Courtyard Book Club, contact Jean Heath, c.jeanheath@gmail.com or 512-231-9412.

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. Courtyard Caller - August 2013 3

Courtyard CallerCourtyard Hardcopy

Directory Being Updated Work is beginning soon on a new hardcopy directory of the

Courtyard community. For financial reasons we are unable to update this every year, but many residents prefer this format to the online directory as a quick and handy resource. The hardcopy incudes a list of the CHA current Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and Sub-HOA Contacts and their contact information. Also included is a map of the community, an easy guide to the Courtyard HOA rules and regulations, as well as a list of Courtyard residents by street. Please make sure that your most current phone numbers and emails are on record. You can send updated information by email to Marilyn Childress, Goodwin Management (marilyn.childress@goodwintx.com) or to Leslie Craven, Courtyard HOA President, through the “Contact Us” part of the our neighborhood website or to her personal email (lcraven1@att.net). If you prefer you may also fill in, cut out, and mail in the form below to Marilyn Childress, Goodwin Management, 11149 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 78759-5227.

MY DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Last Name: ________________________________________

First Name: ________________________________________

Street Address ______________________________________

Home phone number: _______________________________

Cell phone number(s): _______________________________

Email address (es): ___________________________________

Option(s) 

___ It is ok to list my name and contact information with my address.

___ Do not include my name or contact information with my address.

___ Include my name but please keep my contact information private & use only in case of emergency.

THE MONTH OF AUGUSTAugust is the eighth month of the year and the sixth month of

the Roman calendar. The Romans called the month Sextilis, which means sixth. Eight years before Jesus was born the name of the month was changed to Augustus in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus Casear, because many of the important events in his life happened around that time of year. The Anglo-Saxons called it Weod monath, which means Weed month, because it is the month when weeds and other plants grow most rapidly. August is the busiest time for tourism, as it falls in the main school holiday of the year, the summer holidays, which lasts for six weeks for state run schools.

Birthstone: Peridot and Sardonyx - Peridot is among the oldest known gemstones. The “topaz” on the breastplate of Aaron, High Priest of the Hebrews in the Old Testament, was believed to actually be peridot. Peridot is a gem-quality transparent variety of olivine, a mineral composed of magnesium-iron silicates. The color of olivine ranges from olive to lime green, sometimes with a brownish tinge. Sardonyx is a relatively common and inexpensive gemstone. It was a favorite gemstone in ancient times, popular not only because it was attractive, but also because it was widely available. Unlike most rare gemstones that could only be bought with the wealth of royalty and nobility, sardonyx could be obtained by many less-wealthy people. Sardonyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and brownish-red bands.

Birth Flower: Gladiolus - The gladiolus is the birth month flower of August, bringing luck to all births in August. Symbolically this flower signifies remembrance, infatuation, and strength of character. Its name comes from Latin’s “gladius” meaning “sword” for its sword shaped leaves. This flower has also represented the Roman gladiators who carried swords. In mythology, there are many tales told of gladioli springing from blood shed by a sword. Some medicinal uses are to cure common colds, diarrhea, painful menstruation, and constipation.

Fruits and Veggies: Apricots, Avocados, Basil, Bell Peppers, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Chard, Cherries, Chiles, Cilantro, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel 

August Holidays: Admit You’re Happy Month; Family Fun Month; National Catfish Month; National Eye Exam Month: National Golf Month; Peach Month; Romance Awareness Month; Water Quality Month; National Picnic Month.

TAIT’S RACK AUGUST BOAT TRIPS

Two boat trips up and down Bull Creek are planned for Saturday, August 10th and Saturday, August 31st. The trips will begin at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast at Maudie’s afterward.

4 Courtyard Caller - August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Courtyard Caller

www.childrenscenterofaustin.com

Offering 3 ConvenientAustin Locations!

Now Enrolling forFALL

Every child is unique! Our exceptional curriculum meets the educational,

developmental, and social needs your child needs. Each day is filled with hands on educational

learning, compassionate teachers and fun!

Space for the fall is limited. Call us or drop

in at any of our 3 beautiful locations.

On a mild and beautiful day 200 plus people attended our annual July 4th parade and picnic. As is traditional, the parade to the Park was led by a fire truck and followed by bikes, tricycles, wagons, strollers, a motorcycle, and many Courtyard walkers. Lewis Price decorated his red truck and transported several children, parents, and grandparents, as well as his beagles, Bella and Ginger. New this year was a police cruiser bringing up the rear.

Food and fun awaited the attendees in the Park. No July 4th celebration is complete without America’s summertime favorites of hot dogs (grilled by our own master chef Luis Suarez), chips, watermelon, and lemonade. Dessert consisted of cookies and cupcakes. A clown entertained the kids making balloon animals and painting faces. The children also enjoyed cooling off in the “Slip n Slide” and kiddie wading pool or bouncing in the” Bouncy House.” As always, the boat/kayak rides were a huge success. For at least half of the children these rides were their very first experience in a small boat on the water. A highlight this year was the free

raffling of a kayak donated to the CHA. Approximately 75 tickets were submitted for the drawing with Ginger Fosdick and Costas Tzaperas as the lucky winners.

This wonderful family event was planned, organized, and executed by our own Courtyard Social Committee Chairperson, Joany Price, whose love for and dedication to this community has brought us many such fun events over the years. Jean and Fred Heath as well as Winston and Brandi Cundiff were Joany’s invaluable volunteers. Photographers were Leslie Craven, Andy Masuo, and Sarah Bohls. At least eighteen people helped or volunteered their boats and equipment. Special mention to Fred and Ellen Wahlers, Bob and Jeanne May, Jean and Fred Heath, Jason Ritnour, John Mannix, and Jimmy Vece for paddling people around, putting boats in the water, and organizing the rides. Others volunteered equipment – Robert Dickenson, Doug Richards, Susanne Reiss, John Mannix, Robert Wooten, Joany and Lewis Price, Tom Hutchison, Dan Sharphorn, Mansoor Ghori, Sean Waldren, Vance Ey, and Waneen Spirduso.

In dependence Day Celebration in the Par k

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. Courtyard Caller - August 2013 5

Courtyard Caller

In dependence Day Celebration in the Par k

6 Courtyard Caller - August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Courtyard Caller

DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser.* The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising.* Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction.* Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

At no time will any source be allowed to use The Courtyard Caller Newsletter contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in The Courtyard Caller Newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING SOON ON

CHAMPION OFFICE PARK Near RM 222 and Capital of Texas Highway

Austin Business Journal Staff Developers will soon break ground on a 220,600-square-foot

office project called Champion Office Park in Northwest Austin. Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate Group and commercial real estate investment and management company  Granite Properties will build two four-story structures at the northwest corner of RM 2222 and Capital of Texas Highway,  reported the Austin American Statesman. The companies have not lined up tenants, taking a “measured and thoughtful risk,” Endeavor founding Principal Bryce Miller told the Statesman. Endeavor and Granite will fund the project but are not disclosing the cost.

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. Courtyard Caller - August 2013 7

Courtyard Caller

609 Castle Ridge Road, Ste. 400 • Austin, TX 78746 M: 512.775.8942 • O: 512.328.8200 • F: 512.328.2559 jprice@cbunited.com • www.cbunited.com/Joany.PriceCertified Previews™ Property SpecialistInternational Diamond Society

JoanyPriceYour Courtyard Neighbor& Tennis Club Member

Realtor, CLHMS

Thanks

for The memories!

2013 COuRTyARD July 4Th CelebRATIOn!

8 Courtyard Caller - August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Courtyard Caller PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPEEL, INC.

CY

308 Meadowlark St.Lakeway, TX 78734-4717

offered at $1,100,000

Our intimate knowledge of Austin’s best properties has helped thousands of people

make Austin their home for over 26 years.

We get it.

Jo Carol SnowdenBroker Assoc., ABR, CRS, GRI

512-480-0842512-657-4441 celljocarol@moreland.comwww.moreland.com